2026 Wauneta-Palisade FFA Banquet held; awards, ribbons and pins given, new officers elected

By Allison Sandman
Chapter Advisor
Wauneta-Palisade FFA members hosted their annual banquet with a silent auction, People in Ag and Agriscience Fair display, dinner, and community service auction on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.  The chapter hosted 185 members and guests enjoying a smoked brisket meal from Pits & Spits. The evening began with opening ceremonies and the celebration of members receiving ribbons, pins, and awards throughout the year. Junior High members receiving their Discovery Degrees were Emmitt Bardsley, Andrea Barerra, Gunner Cox, Kenton Doetker, Riley Einspahr, Barrett, Frecks, Charlie Hilbert, Marlee Kramer, Gavin McKinney, Zya Richardson, Attley Wiese, Bennet Wiese, and Autum Williams. Members receiving their Greenhand Degrees were Liam Dinnel, Kamryn Fanning, Wyatt Hilbert, Kameron Jutten, Annaly Ramirez, and Cadence Sandoval Members receiving their Chapter Degrees were Ansley Bartels, Annaly Ramirez, Kameron Jutten, Wyatt Hilbert, Liam Dinnel, Kamryn Fanning, Cadence Sandoval, Emma Acton, Addalyn Einspahr. The chapter recognized the top fruit seller for 2025 was Noah Sandman. Scholarship pins were awarded to Lilly Dinnel, Addalyn Einspahr, Kamryn Fanning, Kaia Applegarth, Amelia Monnahan, and Natalie Walker. Leadership pins were awarded to Noah Sandman, Addalyn Einspahr, Cadence Sandoval, and Micah Bley. Service pin was awarded to Micah Bley. The Star Discovery Degree recipient was Marlee Kramer, The Star Greenhand Degree recipient was Micah Bley. The Star Chapter Degree recipient was Wyatt Hilbert.  Lilly Dinnel, Kameran McCrumb, Konner McCrumb, and Noah Sandman received their Nebraska State FFA Degree at State Convention.
The chapter competed in LDEs (Leadership Development Events) and CDEs (Career Development Events) throughout the year.  CDE #1 consisted of Natural Resources, Agriscience, Farm & Business Management, and JH and Senior Livestock Judging.  Lilly Dinnel earned a red ribbon, and Liam Dinnel earned a white ribbon in Natural Resources while Kaia Applegarth earned a red red ribbon and Micah Bley a white ribbon in Agriscience.  The JH Livestock Judging team placed 4th  (red) and Bennet Wiese, Owen Sandoval, and Alicyn Cox earned blue ribbons, Barrett Frecks earned a red ribbon, Creighton Frecks and Emery Sutherland earned white ribbons. Mckinley Stoller placed 5th (purple) in Junior Livestock Judging.
LDE #1Amya Keenan competed in Junior Public Speaking at Districts and earned a blue ribbon. LDE #2 Mckinley Stoller competed in Creed speaking, earning a purple. JH Ag Literacy Speaking Sofia Maruqezhoyos earned a red ribbon, and Alicyn Cox and Emery Sutherland earned blue ribbons in JH Ag Discovery Speaking. Two Vet Science teams competed at CDE #2. Team 1(Casey Walker, Mckinley Stoller, Natalie Walker, Lilly Dinnel) placed 4th, earning a red ribbon. Casey Walker, Mckinley Stoller earned purple ribbons. Natalie Walker, Addalyn Einpsahr, Kamryn Fanning, Lilly Dinnel earned blue ribbons, and Toria Bley earned a red ribbon. CDE #3 Welding Team #1 earned a white ribbon, and Liam Dinnel (OA) earned a white ribbon.  Two Floriculture teams competed at CDE #4 with Lilly Dinnel, Addalyn Einspahr, and Ansley Bartels earning white ribbons. The Ag Sales Team (Noah Sandman, Kameron Jutten, Micah Bley, Amya Keenan) placed second, qualifying for state, Micah Bley earned a blue ribbon and Kamerson Jutten a white ribbon.
Twenty-two high school and eight junior high school Wauneta-Palisade FFA members traveled to state convention where four senior members received their Nebraska State FFA Degree: Lilly Dinner, Kameran McCrumb, Konner McCrumb and Noah Sandman. Two Agriscience Fair Food Products & Processing Division 3 projects competed, Mckinley Stoller earned third place and a gold medal, and Natalie Walker earned a bronze medal. Two of the Ag Sales team members earned ribbons, Kameron Jutten (purple) and Noah Sandman (white). The Agriscience team competed well and received ribbons: Kaia Applegarth and Amelia Monnahan (reds), and Micah Bley (white).  Five junior high members competed in People in Ag poster event at State, each earning a medal: Marlee Kramer (gold), Creighton Frecks (gold), Riley Einspahr (silver), Barrett Frecks (bronze), and Gunner Cox (bronze).
Rounding out the evening with election and installation of the 2025-2026 FFA Officers, retiring of the seniors Blue Jackets and Community Service Auction.  The program listed all of the community members that have helped the chapter in any way throughout the year. The new officer team is Tori Bley (President), Addalyn Einspahr(Vice President), Emma Acton (Secretary), Micah Bley (Treasurer), Cadence Sandoval (Reporter), Kameron Jutten (Parliamentarian), Liam Dinnel (Sentinel), Amya Keenan and Mckinley Stoller (Junior Advisors).  The Silent and Community Service Auction raised over $9800.
The chapter leadership team is preparing for a Leadership Retreat on June 1st. The chapter is extremely grateful for the communities we serve and are excited to share that summer projects are the FFA Greenhouse, FFA Sweet Corn, Peach Sales, FFA Duck Races, and participation at Palisade Pioneer Days and Wauneta Harvest Festival.  We look forward to seeing everyone this summer.